FILE – Former Lyceum star CJ Perez and coach Topex Robinson. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Topex Robinson has always felt that his former Lyceum ward CJ Perez was meant for great things.
But he doesn’t mind being surprised once in a while.
“It’s soothing for me to see him there,” Robinson told a handful of reporters on Thursday. “Never in my wildest dreams that I would see him (that way) on that stage.”
“At first, I was thinking, this was all just chance,” Robinson said of Perez’ stellar World Cup debut in a losing stand against Italy in China last Friday.
“After that, we were joking around. Come second game, it was the same. Wow. [He’s] just different. Then there was (Wednesday’s) game,” he said. “It’s a crowning glory for him.”
CJ Perez shines in another game for Gilas Pilipinas. FIBA PHOTO
Perez registered 15 points in his first game, 16 against highly-touted Serbians, and local-best 17 in the heartbreaker versus the Angolans.
“I’m excited for what the future holds for him,” Robinson said.
The soft-spoken college coach, who also serves as a deputy to Louie Alas at Phoenix Fuel, deflected credit for Perez’ recent strides in the world stage, saying he was merely reminding his ward a lesson.
“We always talk about being a blessing to others. He’s now in a situation to do just that—influence a lot of people. And he should do so since nobody really thought that he would come out like that,” he said.
Perez bounced around schools in the collegiate level before finding a home at Robinson’s Lyceum Pirates. Together, they made two NCAA Finals appearances.
Perez went on to become the top pick of Columbian in this season’s PBA Draft. He and Robert Bolick of NorthPort are the two rookies making waves for the national team in the world stage.
Be Legendary pic.twitter.com/T0F2y3nXvr
— Topex Robinson (@coachtopex) September 4, 2019
Asked for his advice for Perez, who made a last-second blunder in regulation in what seemed to be a winnable game against Angola, Robinson had quite the pragmatic take.
“I always look at the brighter picture. Those things actually happen. It’s a blessing in disguise,” the mentor said. “There’s still so much ahead for our national team … There’s still a lot of opportunities,” Robinson said.
“But really a crowning moment for him. I’m just proud of how much he has achieved thus far,” he closed.